Repairing a Meyer Görlitz Helioplan 40mm f/4.5 Lens

This Meyer Görlitz Helioplan 40mm f/4.5 lens was manufactured in 1949/50. It was the widest lens for SLR cameras, before retrofocus designs were developed.

 

One thing that is special about many of these old lenses is the larger number of aperture blades. This one has twelve, resulting in beautiful circles for out-of-focus shapes.

This piece has the Exakta mount.

For a 75 years old lens, this one is, cosmetically, in pretty good shape. But, as expected, its aperture is oily and the focus is extremely stiff. But these are easy to fix. 

Maybe, at a later date, I will add more text. But the pictures and their annotations make it pretty clear, how to disassemble this lens. As usual: When disassembling the helicoids, pay good attention when they separate, so you can insert them exactly like they were before. Otherwise, you may loose infinity focus.

Removing the rear glass.

And removing the front glass.

This gives access to the aperture blades which can be cleaned in-place from both sides, using isopropyl alcohol or lighter fluid.

These are all the pieces - cleaned!!

Now: Putting everything back together, starting with the helicoids.

Last step: Cleaning the glass elements before inserting them.

It's as good as new!

More of my lens repair tutorials can be found here.